<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="Subtitle 54 – Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs">
  <section prefix="§" num="54-1" heading="Definitions.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Director.">“Director” means the Director of Immigrant Affairs.</para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Immigrant.">“Immigrant” means an individual:<para num="(1)">who is a resident of Baltimore City; and</para>
      <para num="(2)">whose country of origin is a country other than the United States.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Office.">“Office” means the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.</para>
    <annotation type="History" />
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="54-2" heading="Office established.">
    <text>There is an Office of Immigrant Affairs in the Office of the Mayor.</text>
    <annotation type="History" />
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="54-3" heading="Purpose.">
    <text>The purpose of the Office is to promote the well-being, economic development, and integration of Baltimore City’s immigrant communities.</text>
    <annotation type="History" />
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="54-4" heading="Office - Powers and duties.">
    <text>The office shall have the power and duty to perform the following functions:</text>
    <para num="(1)">advise the Mayor, City Council, and City agencies on ways to enhance and improve access to City services and resources for immigrants;</para>
    <para num="(2)">advise the Mayor, City Council, and City agencies on ways to strengthen opportunities for immigrants to participate in the civic life of the City;</para>
    <para num="(3)">implement and coordinate City policies regarding issues affecting immigrant communities;</para>
    <para num="(4)">advocate for equal treatment of immigrants and equitable access to City services;</para>
    <para num="(5)">review proposed legislation referred to the Office by the City Council and assess its impact on the economic, physical, social, emotional, and intellectual welfare of immigrants;</para>
    <para num="(6)">improve the services available to immigrants by advocating for changes in:<para num="(i)">public policy;</para>
      <para num="(ii)">service delivery; and</para>
      <para num="(iii)">funding;</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(7)">develop, implement, and coordinate policies that facilitate City agencies’ compliance with all federal, State, and local language access laws;</para>
    <para num="(8)">advance the Office’s mission by working in partnership with:<para num="(i)">City agencies;</para>
      <para num="(ii)">City boards;</para>
      <para num="(iii)">City commissions;</para>
      <para num="(iv)">community organizations; and</para>
      <para num="(v)">the private sector;</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(9)">serve as a liaison between the City and its immigrant communities;</para>
    <para num="(10)">establish and staff community advisory groups to provide strategic guidance and monitoring of initiatives relevant to the purpose of the Office;</para>
    <para num="(11)">solicit community and stakeholder input regarding the activities of the Office, including consultations with City agencies, boards, and commissions on implementation of programs and services relevant to immigrants; and</para>
    <para num="(12)">perform other duties as required by the Mayor.</para>
    <annotation type="History" />
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="54-5" heading="Director.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">There is a Director of Immigrant Affairs, who is responsible for the administration and oversight of the Office.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Appointment.">The Director is appointed by the Mayor in accordance with &lt;cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="IV|§6"&gt;Article IV, § 6 of the City Charter&lt;/cite&gt;.</para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Salary.">The Director shall receive such salary as may be provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.</para>
    <annotation type="History" />
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="54-6" heading="Staff and budget.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Staff.">The Office may employ staff in accordance with the Ordinance of Estimates.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Budget.">The Office may expend funds authorized in the Ordinance of Estimates or any supplemental appropriation.</para>
    <annotation type="History" />
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="54-7" heading="Annual report.">
    <text>On or before June 30 of each year, the Office shall submit a report to the Mayor and City Council detailing:</text>
    <para num="(1)">the activities of the Office; and</para>
    <para num="(2)">any specific policy or legislative proposals to advance the goals of the Office and the needs of immigrant communities in Baltimore.</para>
    <annotation type="History" />
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
